Hygienic paper dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for hygiene paper is proposed which makes available dry toilet paper and dispenses moistened hygiene paper. For this purpose, the dispenser contains a housing, a roll holder for the hygiene paper, a unit for the moistening with a liquid container, a moistening roll and at least one liquid tank which communicate with one another and a unit for the dispensing with a transport roll for the hygiene paper which is in contact with the moistening roll with an intermediate layer of the hygiene paper. The dispenser can be divided into a base housing and an insertion part. The advantage of the dispenser consists of commercially available toilet paper being made available and of moistened hygiene paper being dispensed in a specific length or in any desired length and of the dispenser being made simply and being easy to handle.

The invention relates to a dispenser for hygiene paper containing ahousing, a first roll holder for the reception of a roll with a hygienepaper, a unit for the moistening of the hygiene paper with a liquidcontainer, with a moistening roll and with a liquid tank whichcommunicates with the liquid container (21) and the moistening roll anda guide roll for the hygiene paper.

Dry toilet paper and moist cleaning tissues are used for hygiene. Inuse, it has been found to be disadvantageous that the toilet paper andthe cleaning tissues are presented spatially separately and the moistcleaning tissues can dry out. This can be very unpleasant in certainsituations.

In DE A 26 44 871, a toilet tank is described from which dry andmoistened toilet paper can be taken from a dispensing roll. The tanksubstantially consists of a housing in which a roll holder for thetoilet paper is arranged and a flask which is arranged outside thehousing. A deflection roll for the toilet paper, a transport roll forthe toilet paper standing under spring action, a liquid container whichcommunicates with the flask and a moistening roll which is connected tothe liquid container line-wise are arranged in the tank. The toiletpaper is guided over the deflection roll and the transport roll and isheld by these at a member with a tear-off edge. Dry toilet paper can bepulled off in this position. To moisten the toilet paper, the toiletpaper is brought—against the spring action—into contact with the rollstanding in line-wise connection with the liquid container.

The disadvantages of the tank can be seen in the fact that the toiletpaper is moistened by pulling the toilet paper against the springaction, with the degree of moistening depending on the pull-off speed.Toilet paper can thereby be moistened only partly or too strongly. Withtoo high a pulling force, the moistened toilet paper can be torn or thedry toilet paper can be torn off outside the perforation and isconsequently unusable. The tank is not suitable for the use ofnon-perforated hygiene paper from the roll. The reason for this can beseen in the relatively high tear strength of the hygiene paper.

It is the underlying object of the invention to provide a dispenser forhygiene paper which does not have the aforesaid disadvantages.

The object is satisfied in accordance with the invention by the featuresof the independent claim. Further developments of the invention resultfrom the dependent claims.

It is the underlying idea of the invention to make available by means ofa dispenser dry hygiene paper or to present moistened hygiene paper,which can be used as toilet paper or as a cleaning tissue after thetearing off. There are provided for this purpose, roll holders for therespective hygiene paper arranged at a housing, a unit for themoistening of the hygiene paper with a liquid tank, a liquid containerand a moistening roll, which communicate with one another, a unit forthe dispensing with a transport roll for the transport of the hygienepaper, the transport roll being in contact with the moistening rollthrough the intermediary of a layer of the hygiene paper, with a driveunit for the transport roll and a control unit.

The advantages which can be achieved with the invention cansubstantially be seen in the fact that commercially available dry toiletpaper is made available and moistened hygiene paper is dispensed usableas cleaning tissues and in that the dispenser is simply made and issimple to handle.

It is of advantage for the housing to consist of a base housing and aninsertion part which are connected via plug connections, for threeliquid tanks to be arranged at the base housing and for the insertionpart to include the liquid container. The servicing and in particularthe cleaning of the dispenser is thereby facilitated.

A hood with a means for the separation of the hygiene paper can beprovided for the covering of the roll with the hygiene paper and of theliquid container. The wet portion of the dispenser is thus covered andthe possibility is provided of using both perforated and non-perforatedhygiene paper.

If the guide roll and the transport roll are rotatably arranged in thehood, the hygiene paper can easily be inserted in an advantageous mannerwhen the hood is pivoted downwardly.

The invention will be explained with reference to the enclosed drawingsin the following.

There are shown:

FIG. 1 a partly openly illustrated side view of a first embodiment of adispenser in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 a section along the line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a section along the line III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a partly openly illustrated side view of a second embodiment of adispenser in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 a view of the transport unit in an unfolded position;

FIG. 6 a partly openly illustrated side view of a third embodiment of adispenser in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 a side view of the dispenser in the separated state;

FIG. 8 a section along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 a section along the line IX-IX in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 a modification of the drive unit.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 3. The dispenser contains a housing 1, afirst roll holder 2 for the mounting of a dispensing roll 3 with toiletpaper, a second roll holder 4 for the mounting of a dispensing roll 5with paper to be moistened, a unit 6 for the moistening, a unit for thedispensing 7 of cleaning tissues and a control unit 9.

The housing 1 contains a U-shaped holder 11 consisting of a base section12 for the fastening of the dispenser to a wall or the like and a wallsection 13 projecting therefrom at right angles as well as a U-shapedsupport part 14 for the roll holders 2 and 4 which is arranged in theholder 11 and is releasably or fixedly connected thereto. The rollholders 2 and 4 are fastened to the base section of the support part 14.The housing 1 furthermore contains a pivotable flap 16, which isassociated with the first roll holder 2, and a hood 17 to cover the wetpart of the dispenser and is arranged pivotably about the axis 18. Aslot 19 is provided in the hood 17 for the dispensing of the cleaningtissues.

The housing 1, the flap 16 and the hood 17 advantageously consist ofplastic or of metal. Combinations of these materials can also be used.

The unit 6 for the moistening includes a liquid container 21, a liquidtank 22 and a moistening roll 23. The liquid container 21 is made in Ushape such that the one limb 25 and the base section 26 are made as atube and the other limb 27 is made as a trough. The liquid container 21is arranged on the wall section 13 such that the one limb 23 liesbeneath the liquid tank 22. The liquid tank 22 has a stub 28 which canbe inserted into an aperture 29 provided in the limb 25 whilesimultaneously opening the liquid container. The moistening roll 23 isarranged in the limb 27 formed as a trough freely rotatably about theaxis 30.

The unit 7 for the dispensing includes a guide roll 31, a transport roll32 and a drive unit 33 for the transport roll 32. The guide roll 31 andthe transport roll 32 are arranged in support members 35 rotatably aboutthe axes 34 and 39, with the transport roll 32 lying on the moisteningroll 23. A respective slot 36 is provided in the support members 35 forthe insertion and raising of the transport roll 32. The drive unit 33includes a stepping motor 37 having a belt pulley which is connected tothe control unit 9, a belt pulley 38 fastened to the axle 39 of thetransport roll 32 and a belt 40.

The control unit 9 is arranged in the housing 1 and includes aconventional electronic control which is charged by a battery and isactivated by a switch.

Reference is made to the FIGS. 4 and 5. These Figures show a secondembodiment of the dispenser and essentially differ from the firstembodiment in the design of the unit for the dispensing. Only thedifferences are therefore described in the following description.

The unit 30 for the dispensing includes a guide roll 31, a transportroll 32 and a drive unit 33 for the transport roll 32. The guide roll 31and the transport roll 32 are arranged on a holder 51. The holder 51consists of two levers 52 and two axles 34 and 39 on which the guideroll 31 and the transport roll 32 are rotatably arranged, with thetransport roll 32 lying on the moistening roll 23. The axles 32 and 39are releasably mounted on the levers 52. It can be seen from FIG. 2 thatthe holder 51 is pivotably arranged about an axis 54 at the liquidcontainer 21. Furthermore, a guide 55 is provided for the pivoting ofthe holder 51 on the hood 17 and is in active connection with the axle34 of the guide roll 31.

The drive unit 33 includes a stepping motor 37 which is connected to thecontrol unit 9, a first toothed wheel 57 which is fastened to the axleof the stepping motor 37 and a second toothed wheel 58 which is fastenedto the axle 39 of the transport roll 32.

In a modified embodiment (not shown) of the previously describeddispenser, the guide 55 is omitted such that the holder 51 can bemanually adjusted when the hood 17 is open. Instead of the guide, amember is provided which holds the toothed wheels 57 and 58 inengagement when the hood 17 is closed.

Reference is made to the FIGS. 6 to 9. The dispenser contains a housing61, a first roll holder 62 for the mounting of a dispensing roll 3 withtoilet paper, a second roll holder 63 for the mounting of a dispensingroll 5 with hygiene paper to be moistened, a unit 64 for the moistening,a unit for the dispensing 65 and a control unit 9.

With respect to the embodiments described above, the housing 61 containsa base housing 66 for fastening to a wall or the like and an insertionpart 67 which is releasably connected to the base housing 66. The basehousing 66 consists of a rectangular box which is closed at the lowernarrow side and is provided at the upper narrow side with closableapertures and of a support part 68 which projects at right angles and isfastened to the lower narrow side of the base housing 66. The rollholders 62, 63 are mounted to the base housing 66. The base housing 66furthermore contains a pivotable flap 16. The insertion part 67 haslatching jacks 69 which can be inserted into openings in the basehousing 66 and support sections 70 into which the support part 68 can beinserted—the whole such that the insertion part 67 is removablyarranged.

A hood 71 is pivotably arranged at a nose 88 which is formed at theinsertion part 67. The hood 71 has an opening 72 for the dispensing ofthe moistened hygiene paper. A tear-off blade 73 is arranged in theregion of the opening 72 at the hood wall or at the nose 88 of theinsertion part 67 for the tearing off of moistened hygiene paper. Atear-off edge can be formed at the opening 72 instead of the tear-offblade.

With respect to the embodiments described above, the unit 64 for themoistening contains three liquid tanks 81, a liquid container 82 whichis integrated into the insertion part 67 and a moistening roll 23. Theliquid container 82 has a trough-shaped recess 84 for the mounting ofthe moistening roll 23, a connection section 85 for the connection of aliquid tank 81 and a channel-shaped recess 86 for the connection of thetrough-shaped recess 84 to the connection section 86. The moisteningroll 23 is arranged freely rotatably in the trough-shaped recess 84.

The unit 65 for the dispensing includes a guide roll 31, a transportroll 91 and a drive unit 33. With respect to the embodiments describedabove, the guide roll 31 and the transport roll 91 are arranged in thehood 71 and the drive unit 33 at the base housing 66 and also in thehood 71. The drive unit 33 includes a stepping motor 37 which isfastened to the support part 68 of the base housing 66, a first toothedwheel 57 which is fastened to the motor axle and a second toothed wheel58 which is fastened to the axle 92 of the transport roll 91. Thetransport roll 91 has ring-shaped projections 93 at the periphery whichare provided with ribbing to ensure the transport of the moistenedhygiene paper.

The control unit 9 is arranged in the base housing 66 and contains anelectronic circuit which is charged by a battery or from the mainsnetwork and is activated by a switch. The control unit 9 isadvantageously designed such that, when the switch is actuated, aspecific length of moistened hygiene paper is dispensed or, when theswitch is actuated, any desired length of moistened hygiene paper isdispensed.

Reference is made to FIG. 10. Instead of the previously describedembodiments, a modified drive unit can be provided which has a firstfriction wheel (97) connected to the stepping motor (37), a secondfriction wheel (98) connected to the transport roll (32; 91) and aspring element (99) to press the second friction wheel toward the firstfriction wheel. The transport roll is supported in an elongate hole forthis purpose.

1. A dispenser for hygiene paper, containing a housing (1; 61), a rollholder (2; 62) for the mounting of a roll (3; 61) with a hygiene paper,a unit (6; 64) for the moistening of the hygiene paper with a liquidcontainer (21; 82), with a moistening roll (23) and a liquid tank (22;81) which communicates with the liquid container (21; 82) and themoistening roll (23) and a guide roll (31) for the hygiene paper,characterized by a second roll holder (4; 63) for the mounting of a roll(5) with a second hygiene paper which is arranged beneath the first rollholder (2; 62), by a unit (7; 65) for the dispensing with a transportroll (32; 91) for the transporting of the hygiene paper, the transportroll being in contact with the moistening roll (23) through theintermediary of a layer of the hygiene paper, by a drive unit (33) forthe transport roll (32; 91) and by a control unit (9) for the drive unit(33).
 2. A dispenser in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that ahood (17) is provided for the covering of the roll (5) with the secondhygiene paper and of the guide roll (31) and of the transport roll (32).3. A dispenser in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that thehood (17) is pivotably supported at the housing (1).
 4. A dispenser inaccordance with claim 1, characterized in that the moistening roll (23)is arranged freely rotatably and removably in the liquid container (21).5. A dispenser in accordance with claim 1, characterized by supportmembers (35) for the guide roll (31) and the transport roll (32).
 6. Adispenser in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the driveunit (33) contains a stepping motor (37) which is fastened to thehousing (1).
 7. A dispenser in accordance with claim 6, characterized inthat a belt drive is associated with the stepping motor (7) and isconnected to the moistening roll (23).
 8. A dispenser in accordance withclaim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the housing (1) consists ofplastic and/or of metal.
 9. A dispenser in accordance with claim 1,characterized in that the guide roll (31) and the transport roll (32)are freely rotatably supported on a holder (51) and in that the holder(51) is pivotably arranged at the housing (1).
 10. A dispenser inaccordance with claim 3 and claim 9, characterized in that the hood (17)has means (55) for the pivoting of the hood (17) and of the holder (51)in the same direction.
 11. A dispenser in accordance with claim 6,characterized in that a toothed drive is associated with the steppingmotor (37) and is connected to the transport roll (32; 91).
 12. Adispenser in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the housing(61) consists of a base housing (66) and an insertion part (67) whichare releasably connected via means (69, 70).
 13. A dispenser inaccordance with claim 1, characterized in that a hood (71) is providedfor the covering of the roll (5) with the second hygiene paper and ofthe insertion part (67) and in that a means (73) for the separation ofthe second hygiene paper is arranged at the hood (71) or at the nose(88) of the insertion part (67).
 14. A dispenser in accordance withclaim 13, characterized in that the hood (71) is pivotably arranged atthe insertion part (67) and in that the guide roll (31) and thetransport roll (91) are rotatably supported in the hood (71).
 15. Adispenser in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that threeliquid tanks (81) are arranged in the base housing (66) and in that theliquid container (82) is made from a trough-shaped recess (84) for themounting of the moistening roll (23), a connection section (85) for theconnection of a liquid tank (81) and a channel-shaped recess (86) forthe connection of the trough-shaped recess (84) to the connectionsection (85).
 16. A dispenser in accordance with claim 1, characterizedin that the transport roll (91) has ring-shaped projections (93) at theperiphery which are provided with ribbing.
 17. A dispenser in accordancewith claim 6, characterized in that a friction wheel drive (95) isassociated with the stepping motor (37).